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If you’re a sucker for romance, then boy are you in for a treat! This darling duo spent their first weekend together at a friend’s wedding in Costa Rica, got engaged during a surprise trip to Paris (he proposed in front of the Eiffel Tower!), and then brought it home for a proper Southern wedding in Charleston. SMP-fave Sarah Kate captured all the magic in the gallery here, and you won’t want to miss a single bit!

From The Bride…Ty and I “met” in NYC on several different occasions- first time we met was during a big group dinner (he sat on one end, I sat all the way on the other) and I ended up leaving afterwards because I was so exhausted. The second time we saw each other – well – let’s just say there was a bit of a road block by way of a guy I was dating. Nonetheless, both times, we caught each other’s eye. I found myself talking to Ty more than I was talking to the guy I was dating! Fast forward to several months later, our mutual friends Lauren & Adam, plan a wedding in Costa Rica. We both end up going (I was living in Virginia at the time & Ty came from NYC). The whole group met at the airport once we landed in CR & I think it is safe to say that Ty and I were together from that moment on. I will always remember seeing him again in the airport (11/2/2013 to be exact) and the very first thing he said to me. We ended up riding together to the wedding destination – a long car ride broken up by a ferry ride in the middle. During the ferry ride, without me knowing, Ty decided it would be funny to sign me up for karaoke (yes, they had karaoke on the ferry). So, next thing I know the DJ is calling my name and the first song I happened to see in the book & ended up picking was Beyonce’s “Single Ladies – If you like it, then you should put a ring on it.”

I thought we were going to Maine for a long weekend. But, little did I know Ty had different plans. Ty SURPRISED me with a trip to Paris (which is also where we ended up meeting our photographers Sarah Kate & Josh)!!!!! He planned the WHOLE THING without me knowing, even getting his hands on my passport. It was so perfect! Ty and I travel very similarly where we don’t really have much of an agenda, we just like to get out and go. We ended up at the Eiffel Tower several days into the trip after walking around the city most of the day. We packed a picnic & a bottle of wine and right as we picked the perfect spot to relax, Ty got down on one knee and all I remember is the tears started to come!

We are both from the South, so I knew we wanted a wedding somewhere in that region. We chose Charleston for its beautiful southern charm, amazing cuisine & gorgeous architecture. We thought what better idea than to have our wedding the weekend following New Year’s so we could keep the holiday going! I wanted a winter type feel to our wedding even though I knew the weather would be nothing like true winter weather! I envisioned simplicity with lots of greenery, natural elements and candles. I also wanted to incorporate as many personal touches as I could – we used my mom’s veil as the drape at the front of the church, I wore my grandmother’s cocktail ring from the 1940’s, my best friend’s veil and also Ty’s grandmother’s vintage stole! We discussed early on that the 3 most important things for us were good music, good food & good photography. I would say we nailed all 3! We hired Seth G for the ceremony & cocktail hour & DJ Smiles Davis from The Flashdance for the reception, had the most delicious cuisine & cocktails hosted by Cannon Green, and of course got to use our beloved friends, Sarah Kate & Josh, as our amazing photographers. I would definitely say that was a top personal touch as well! Our signature drink was a Manhattan to pay homage to the city where our romance blossomed & where we currently live.

It’s all brides favorite day, but we can honestly say that we took everyone’s advice and WE had so much fun! I think you can easily get caught up in making sure that everyone else is having a good time that you forget about yourselves, but if the bride & groom are having fun, everyone else is guaranteed to as well!

This next lovely marks the end of a day filled with beauty, so you better bet it’s got grande finale written all over it. Capturing an array of exquisite moments, Lucy Cuneo has done it again. From the Bride’s elegantly windswept TEAM Hair & Makeup updo, to the super sweet sparkler sendoff, it’s all waiting for you in the masterly crafted gallery!

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From Lucy Cuneo Photography… Bursts of Azalea pink and white magnolia dominate the scenic gardens of beautiful Middleton Place Plantation, Charleston’s most striking historical gardens. We follow Robert & Amberley on a scenic stroll down winding paths and among the ancient boughs, pausing just to celebrate each other. After a quick change they exit in front of the historic home, all smiles in a vintage Bentley. The wide brim hat a nod to the Southern traditions that inspired the shoot.

From Lucy Cuneo Photography… Robert & Amberley enjoy a private dinner at Historic Lowndes Grove Plantation in Charleston. After strolling among the live oaks, they share a glass of bubbles on the piazza overlooking the river at sunset. Reveling in one another’s company, they grab a quick dance to Sinatra before their private dining experience in the glass porch begins.

From Lucy Cuneo Photography… Nestled in a private location in the historic district of Charleston, Amberley takes time to enjoy getting ready away from the bustle of her wedding weekend. Luxuriating among the fine linens she takes the time to contemplate her big day alongside her feline companion, Bandit.

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If the charming South were my home, Lowndes Grove Plantation would most definitely have been a contender for our wedding venue. Beyond Virgil Bunao‘s breathtaking captures of this day, the beautiful Bride’s statement sums it up: When Dave and I drove into the gates, I started crying from excitement; we knew that this was the place we’d get married. See every bit of happy tear-inducing beauty in the gallery.

From The Bride…The day after my fiance and I got engaged, I dove headfirst into the planning process. I saw a picture online that led me to call Lowndes Grove – not even 24 hours after our engagement, I had already booked our first (and only) venue tour. When Dave and I drove into the gates, I started crying from excitement; we knew that this was the place we’d get married. We fell in love with the timeless elegance of the house and the classically Charleston backdrop of the trees hanging over the Ashley River. Initially we planned to get married in front of the house, but due to rain, we got married on the side of the house in front of the river. Talk about blessing in disguise!

When I met with Melissa (and everyone else) at A Charleston Bride, it was like she reached into my brain and put my thoughts into words, and then into something tangible. With a January wedding, I knew I wanted to focus on muted, soft hues. Gray is my favorite color, so I wanted to keep with a somewhat dusky theme – there’s something beautiful in the haze. I went with a smoky lavender to emphasize the gray tones throughout, and my bridesmaid dresses were “stone” – they tend to appear different colors based on the light (sometimes brown, sometimes gray, sometimes mauve – as you may be able to see in pictures). For the bouquet, I wanted something “different” – nothing showy, but definitely a unique quirk to it… which is where the air plant came in. I love how funky it is – and the muted tones of its leaves, of course. My dress is one that I almost refused to try on… I’ve known the owners of the bridal salon (Formally Yours in Lilburn, GA) for several years, and they suggested I try it “just for fun” – clearly they knew me, as I fell in love with it. I love the delicacy of the lace but the subtle pop of the gold underlayer. I’m really attracted to neutrals, because I love that they don’t call attention to themselves – they blend in yet can easily stand alone. I didn’t want the dresses, the flowers, the linens, or any other material aspect to be the focal point – they were merely vehicles to highlight our love for one another, for our family, and for the celebration of our marriage (emphasis on celebration!). So many of Virgil’s photographs capture this atmosphere – I really tear up every time I look at the pictures from that night!

Dave and I met at church, and we had two of our pastors officiating- each were able to incorporate a personal story about us into the ceremony. For the reception, we wanted the dance floor as the main focus – we easily spent half the night dancing. Our band (East Coast Party Band) was amazing – they really emphasized the “party” atmosphere that we were going for.

You know how people say that they really wished they could have done more at their wedding? I’ve heard both brides and grooms say, “I wish I ate/drank/danced more…” Dave and I have no regrets about that night. We ate, we drank, we danced, we celebrated – there’s not one thing that I look back and say, “man, I wish I got to do that.” The night was absolutely magical, and there’s nothing more that we could wish for!